Countless games launch every wake of the morning as numerous game developers and providers join the market. The gaming industry has, therefore, become extremely competitive as the prices of acquiring and retaining customers continue to skyrocket. With all these hullabaloos happening, what can you do to ensure you stand out? If you have such questions, why don’t you hang around to discover for yourself?

Statista has recently valued this market at US$27.97bn and anticipates it to grow by a CAGR of 5.20% in the next three years. This will translate to a user penetration rate of about 15.8%. Such statistics attest to the fact that the market is becoming more and more competitive, and thus, there is a need to enhance your edge. In this article, we will look at how engaging narratives in games like Aviator enhance their appeal and what you can do to ensure your storylines are immersive.

Why does storytelling matter?

Let’s consider the aviator game, for instance. This is not your usual traditional casino game. According to the developers of the game, Aviator was developed to give casino players a whole new experience, unlike the usual spinning of the wheel and so on. So, for some time, a virtual airplane will fly on your screen before it disappears. What is all this about? Adding depth to the storyline of a game to make it more attractive. And can you imagine that Aviator has already passed the 12 million mark of active monthly users as a result?

With more people turning to the gaming market, we can never despise the power of captivating storylines. As a player, you definitely do not just want to engage with some virtual characters; you want to feel like part of the game. And that is what storytelling does – it enhances your emotional connection with the game. Using our initial case study, Aviator, some experts have actually attributed its success to its fast-paced nature, which evokes the right emotions to keep players engaged.

At other times, you do not just want to win but slowly make personal achievements in the game as the story unfolds. This may mean some new events or small changes to the game’s environment. If you offer such experiences to gamers, they will likely perceive a sense of purpose, which may encourage them to stick around for longer hours.

You want to also ensure that your game is as relatable as possible like the virtual plane in Aviator. Plus, you can think of integrating familiar settings like peaceful villages and small towns. That way, you can always be sure that you are providing more than a background for playing but rather experiences where gamers can escape and immerse themselves.

Another important aspect we can never forget to mention is building a sense of community. Games like Aviator often include multiplayer features to allow you to connect with friends and strangers as well. Imagine the fun of defeating your friend in a highly engaging gaming experience.

How can you get started?

Now that you know some of the benefits of engaging narratives, what can you do to enhance the depth of your games?

1. Understand your main message

Do you have a clear understanding of what you want your game to portray? Of course, you cannot craft a storyline if you don’t know the main theme you want to communicate. Plus, it should be a theme that can relate to your target audience. When all these are in play, you can always be sure to have a clear guide for your creative decisions.

2. Identify a narrative structure

How you present your story elements, such as dialogues, events and characters, is very important. Depending on your game’s goals, you can use a linear, emergent, environmental or branching structure. For linear structures, events unfold in a more orderly and chronological pattern. There is usually a cause-and-effect type of relationship in such structures.

In emergent narratives, the developers do not design the story per se; it is usually constructed by the players as they interact and explore. Environmental structures are quite intriguing as they require players to be constantly aware and use their understanding. For games with stories that unfold in multiple directions, branching structures can do well.

3. Work on your characters

This is probably the heart and soul of your online game, and you may want to ensure the following:

• Relatability: Players should be able to relate to characters’ flaws, struggles and virtues to enhance their emotional investment in the game.
• Progression: Games should allow for characters to grow and evolve.
• Identification: If players can relate with characters, they can project their own experiences to this avatar, fostering stronger connections. 

4. Craft dialogues and develop environments

Through dialogues, you can create the mood and tone and convey your story effectively. They should be clear, concise and consistent with your characters’ emotions and goals. Dialogues can also help you create conflict and tension. Environments, on the other hand, can enhance the game’s thematic appeal.

Games like Aviator have rich and detailed environments to enhance their narrative goals. Techniques like visual cues can also go a long way to enhance the appeal of your online games.

Rounding up

It is no surprise that games like Aviator have millions of followers while others struggle to be visible. The whole idea is how you package your game and how valuable gamers find it to be. With this industry getting more competitive, engaging narratives offer a lucrative opportunity for both developers and providers to stand out.